Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ground out a memorable 79-76 Rivalry Series home win over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and improved to 6-9 to get its season back on track after a tough few weeks amid a 1-7 run, the resignation of legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic and fan dissent.

Partizan roars back to win pulsating Serbian Derby over Zvezda

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) ground out a memorable 79-76 Rivalry Series home win over [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/) and improved to 6-9 to get its season back on track after a tough few weeks amid a 1-7 run, the resignation of legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic and fan dissent.

All that became water under the bridge after Partizan wiped out a 16-point third-quarter deficit against Zvezda as [Duane Washington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/) produced a monster home straight, carrying Partizan over the finish line almost single-handedly as he ripped into the old enemy down the stretch.

Partizan looked out for the count after Zvezda, which had the upper hand in the first half, romped its way into a 44-60 lead and subdued a noisy home crowd. Partizan’s comeback started with 5 unanswered points to close out the third quarter, but Zvezda still looked safe and sound early in the fourth and as it maintained a 51-65 advantage.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Enter Washington. The livewire guard, hitherto largely a peripheral figure, took over and mixed audacious layups with laser-beam three-pointers as Partizan turned the matchup on its head. The black-and-white half of Belgrade was in a state of frenzy as Partizan nosed ahead 73-72, and although the pendulum briefly swung back Zvezda’s way after [Jared Butler](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jared-butler/014163/)’s three-pointer, Partizan had the last laugh in a frantic finish as Washington sank a pair of clutch free throws.

The outcome was a third straight win in all competitions for Partizan’s interim head coach Mirko Ocokoljic, who took over from nine-time EuroLeague winner Obradovic under the most intense pressure, facing jeers from the crowd in [his debut 92-85 win over FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/duane-washington-tyrique-jones-power-partizan-to-first-win-of-post-zeljko-obradovic-era/) when the Partizan players were made to feel like the away time by their own faithful.

Having beaten U-BT Cluj-Napoca by the same score in the regional ABA League, Ocokoljic stepped up boldly for the biggest game of career as head coach and got one over Zvezda counterpart Sasa Obradovic, his former mentor at AS Monaco, where the pair enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in the French League and took the franchise to the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four.

“I always believed we could come back and win,” Ocokoljic said with a shy smile on his face in the post-game comments. “We found the right five in the fourth quarter to tighten up the defense and we were also able to make some tough shots on offense.

“We managed the minutes well and although we struggled for 25 minutes or so, we had enough left in the tank down the stretch to grind out the victory. This is a morale-boosting win to carry on in the same direction and we showed tonight that we’ve got the potential.

“All credit goes to the players as they put their hearts on the sleeve and left it all out there on the court. They stood tall and defiant in the face of adversity and engineered a fantastic win.”

<center>
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Zvezda looked the more likely winner for the lion’s share of the matchup as [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Butler netted as many, but both were eclipsed by Washington, who sank a game-high 25. [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) was also instrumental with 16 points and 11 boards, while [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) posted 15 points to go with 8 rebounds, inflicting a third defeat in the last four games on Zvezda, which dropped to 9-6.

Sasa Obradovic was in a sour mood after the bruising battle, which still produced several spectacular plays while the drama kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.

“For the first time, I didn’t know what to do to win the game,” a grim-looking Obradovic told the post-game news conference. ”We played well and I congratulated the players after the game as I thought we deserved to win. We lost the handle on it in the fourth quarter, but it’s not a disaster and we’ll move on.”  

Game News

The home team bounced back from a 16-point deficit to prevail in a titanic tussle

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Not many would have bet on this at the start of the season, but it's a fact: Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv is the sole leader atop the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season standings after 15 games. One of the main reasons why is Elijah Bryant.

Elijah Bryant shows his MVP credentials in Bologna 

Not many would have bet on this at the start of the season, but it's a fact: [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/hta/) is the sole leader atop the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season standings after 15 games. 

Hapoel each of the first three quarters against [Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/) before rallying in the fourth period to get an impressive 74-79 road victory, good for a league-best 11-4 record.

Virtus led for the large part of the game, despite having troubles. Top scorer [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) finished the game with two points on 1-of-11 shooting. [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matthew-morgan/012585/) came off the bench to score 11 points in six minutes, but he then had to come out of the game with an injury. He was able to return and ended up leading Virtus with 21 points in as many minutes. 

Down 55-46 late in the third quarter, Hapoel needed a go-to guy and [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) stepped up big for coach Dimitris Itoudis's team once again, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the final 12 minutes to lead the guests' rally.

Bryant rescued Hapoel in arguably its most fragile moment of the game with a step-back jumper off the dribble and a coast-to-coast layup, bringing his team within 55-50. [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) and [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/), who had combined for just 3 points in the opening three quarters, joined Bryant's effort. Jones and Blakeney combined for 11 points in the next six minutes to put Hapoel in charge, 65-67, with over 4 minutes left.

Virtus Bologna-Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Edwards found his only basket of the game, a driving layup which tied it at 67-67. That's when Hapoel regrouped on defense and Bryant delivered at both ends. He picked up a steal which allowed him to hit a close jumper at the other end, and soon swished a highly-contested jumper that capped an 0-8 run which effectively sealed the outcome, 67-75, in the penultimate minute of the contest.

"In the first half, we gave up 10 offense rebounds, which led to 18 points," Bryant said after the game. "And then we changed our mindset in the second half and trying to get a defensive effort. They have a bunch of off-screen shooters. I'm pretty sure they lead the league in off-screen shooting. So we had to lock in and we were able to get a win.

"At the end, we were able to get some momentum and find some stuff that was working for us and get some defensive stops and get the win."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">זה הכל בראש 🗣️<br>בשלישי ממשיכים:<a href="https://t.co/55sriH8JTY">https://t.co/55sriH8JTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/eFaPpn8KWs">pic.twitter.com/eFaPpn8KWs</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1999598877096206736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bryant made the different in crunch time, but [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) was a solid force all game long, especially in the first quarter, getting 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Oturu ended up getting his first double-double of his EuroLeague career with season highs of 21 points, 10 rebounds and a PIR of 30. 

His effort under the boards allowed Hapoel to turn things around. After being outrebounded 23-15 in the first half, Hapoel won the battle of the boards after the break (12-16). Oturu, however, was eager to give credit to the entire team for fighting.

"It's a collective effort from everybody, not just the bigs fighting for the boards, but everybody," Oturu said. "When the shots go up, finding our man, hitting them, and then going to get the track and the ball. And everybody helping, coming in. The guards coming in to help the bigs get the ball. It's a huge part.

"That was, I think, in the first half, a really important thing that we needed to focus on coming into the second half. So honing in on that side and just grabbing the ball and making sure we get one shot and one stop is super important. I think that's what helped us win today."

Hapoel is now set to look for its 12th win at home when it hosts Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade at Pais Arena Jerusalem on Tuesday, December 16. Virtus will look to bounce back in the first of two games in Serbia next week as it faces Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Wednesday, December 17.

The 30-year-old swingman stepped up big when his team needed him most 

Virtus Bologna v Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

From the ridiculous to the sublime, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul’s offense jumped from one extreme to the other during Friday’s comeback victory over AS Monaco, 86-92, handing out more pain to the Roca Team in a rematch of last season’s Championship Game.

Talen Horton-Tucker leads Fenerbahce’s fighting comeback at Monaco

From the ridiculous to the sublime, [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/)’s offense jumped from one extreme to the other during Friday’s comeback victory over [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), 86-92, handing out more pain to the Roca Team in a rematch of last season’s Championship Game.

The opening few minutes for Saras Jasikevicius’s defending champion team were, to be blunt, awful. Fenerbahce reached the end of the first quarter with just 14 points on the board, having made just 5 of its 20 field-goal attempts, including 1 of 11 from three-point range, and committing 6 turnovers with just 1 assist.

Things didn’t get too much better for the Turkish team over the next quarter and a half, as ongoing inaccuracy allowed Monaco to gradually pull ahead into a seemingly irreversible 67-50 lead with less than three minutes of the third quarter left.

Perhaps that, though, was the wake-up call that Fenerbahce needed, because the remainder of the game was like night into day, as though Jasikevicius had somehow injected his players with a magic potion that switched them immediately from Sleep Mode to Hero Mode.

AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

The comeback was sparked by a three-point strike from [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/), before [Talen Horton-Tucker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/talen-horton-tucker/014124/) netted three baskets in a 10-0 run to bridge the end of the third and the start of the fourth quarter. In precisely three minutes, Monaco’s lead had been cut from 17 points to just 5, and the momentum of the game had totally swung.

Another big run midway through the final period – 13-0 in two and a half minutes – served to send Fenerbahce into the lead, and there was no let-up in the late stages as another burst, this time 9-0, secured an impressive comeback victory thanks to a fourth quarter that yielded 32 points.

Coach Jasikevicius believed the turnaround in fortunes was explained by the consistency of his most tried and trusted performers, with [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/), [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and Melli all playing a full role in the spectacular finale.

“It looked pretty bad over there,” he admitted. “But we got some easy baskets, we hit some three-pointers and obviously in the second half the defense was a totally different ballgame. The numbers don’t lie.

“I’m tired of saying this, but we went \[for a\] shorter rotation. The guys who’ve been here, who have been through these battles with us, they understand the situation. They are champions, which means they have a great character. I guess in these situations, the most important is to put doubts in Monaco’s head. That’s what we did, and then we played very good in the fourth.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">MVP MVP MVP! 🔥 <br><br>👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/Thortontucker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Thortontucker</a>! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PetrolOfisi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PetrolOfisi</a> <a href="https://t.co/mx36fwhbfg">pic.twitter.com/mx36fwhbfg</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1999589011124310290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

An exception was Horton-Tucker, the only one of this season’s new arrivals who spent significant time on the floor in the second half. Indeed, it would have been impossible for Jasikevicius to keep the American out of the action as he provided a constant source of inspiration, netting a season-high total of 22 points on 8-of-10 two-point shooting.

And Horton-Tucker attributed his team’s massive improvement to their mental fortitude, saying: “A lot of resilience from the guys, a lot of fight. If we continue to keep doing that, I think we can win a lot. Just staying true to our principles, listening to Coach and listening to the game plan that they put together for us is a big emphasis.”

Horton-Tucker’s point about the team’s character is backed up by a telling statistic: Fenerbahce grabbed no less than 22 offensive rebounds, the second-highest single game figure in club history ([behind the total of 30 set last season against Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-set-rebounding-record-in-key-win-in-paris/)), with nine different players contributing to that number.

The commitment to offensive rebounding was even evident was Fenerbahce was at its offensive worst in the first quarter, which ended with 8 grabs off Monaco's glass. That physicality eventually paid off as Fenerbahce finished with 20 second-chance points – one of the many aspects of the game that displeased Monaco boss Vassilis Spanoulis.

“Even when we were up 17 points, we were not playing good basketball,” Spanoulis said. “We played very individually, not fighting, missing rebounds. It’s unacceptable at this level. At halftime, they had 18 offensive rebounds and we had 18 total rebounds. We were mentally soft. I don’t like soft teams, but today we became so anxious. We deserved to lose the game.”

The reigning champ overturned a 17-point deficit in a rematch from last season’s title decider

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-12-12T18:30:00.000Z)

ESPN writer Tim MacMahon has a segment on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast called the “Cojones Factor Player of the Week.” If he was watching Dubai Basketball’s Round 15 clash against FC Bayern Munich, the choice for that accolade would’ve been easy: Dubai guard McKinley Wright.

McKinley Wright to the rescue as Dubai defeats Bayern, stays perfect at Coca-Cola Arena

ESPN writer Tim MacMahon has a segment on the *Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective* podcast called the “Cojones Factor Player of the Week.” If he was watching [Dubai Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/dubai-basketball/dub/)’s Round 15 clash against [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/), the choice for that accolade would’ve been easy: Dubai guard [McKinley Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/).

The hosts trailed 87–88 with 3.2 seconds remaining and had an inbounds play after [Kosta Kondic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kosta-kondic/014031/) forced a turnover on [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) as Bayern tried to run out the clock. [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/) inbounded to Wright, who took one step to his right and shot over the outstretched arms of [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/spencer-dinwiddie/014162/) and [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) to lift Dubai to a perfect 5–0 at Coca-Cola Arena.

There were still 0.2 seconds left for Bayern to get a shot off, but [Vladimir Lucic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vladimir-lucic/001288/)’s attempt was blocked by Anderson – his third rejection of the night. After the game, the Dubai players celebrated on the floor with GM Dejan Kamenjasevic, the architect behind this Dubai team.

Dubai Basketball-FC Bayern Munich | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Kamenjasevic knows better than anyone that Dubai still has several more levels it can reach once its injured players return. Coach Jurica Golemac was missing seven players: [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/), [Dwayne Bacon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dwayne-bacon/011286/), [Klemen Prepelic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/klemen-prepelic/002661/), and [Boogie Ellis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boogie-ellis/014157/), along with long-term absentees [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/) and [Nate Mason](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nate-mason/014035/). Yet one player who has begun to emerge as a EuroLeague star is Wright.

The 2024–25 ABA League MVP joined Dubai from BKT EuroCup side Buducnost VOLI Podgorica this past summer and needed a little time to adjust to the EuroLeague level. But since Round 10, he has been one of the UAE-based team’s most reliable performers. Able to score and facilitate at an elite level, Wright finished with 22 points, 7 assists, and a 28 PIR in the win over Bayern – the game leader in all three categories.

This has become the norm for Wright. He has posted a PIR of 12 or more in six straight games, recorded 6 or more assists in six of his last seven, and scored in double figures in three consecutive outings. With the season approaching the midway point, Wright appears to have found his groove.

Against Bayern, he was backed by the never-say-die attitudes of Anderson and Kondic, both of whom played key roles in Dubai’s comeback. Anderson, in particular, has become a leader for this Dubai team, something Wright acknowledged after the game.

“Great comeback, man,” Wright told EuroLeague TV. “We were in this situation when we played at home against Paris – down double digits with 15 minutes left. Justin Anderson is a veteran on this team, and he does a great job of keeping our spirits high, making sure we’re motivated and can come back and win any game. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Justin for making sure we stay alert.”

<center>
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The Dubai fans at Coca-Cola Arena have only ever seen their team win, with the club’s only “home” defeat coming against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, a game played in Bosnia and Herzegovina following guidance from local authorities. Wright hopes the team’s strong home form will bring more fans out to support them.

“We need more fans to start coming out,” he said. “Y’all seeing this is a real thing. We’re winning games. It’s going to be special for the future.”

If Dubai fans – or any local residents – needed a reason to come watch the team at Coca-Cola Arena, Wright is giving them plenty.

The guard scored the game-winning basket with 0.5 seconds left

Dubai Basketball v FC Bayern Munich (2025-12-12T16:00:00.000Z)

Stay up to date with the latest information provided by the EuroLeague clubs ahead of Round 15 of the 2025-26 season.

Injury report, Round 15

## Friday, December 12

### Dubai Basketball vs. FC Bayern Munich (17:00 CET)

##### Dubai Basketball

Dubai has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Bayern on Friday.

- Dwayne Bacon is sidelined after being diagnosed with a [fracture of his right thumb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/dubais-dwayne-bacon-sidelined-with-thumb-fracture/).
- Dzanan Musa has been out since Round 2 with a minor knee injury.
- Nate Mason, who hasn't played this season, has undergone a discectomy after sustaining a cervical injury during practice.
- Summer signing Mam Jaiteh suffered an Achilles injury and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

##### FC Bayern Munich

Kamar Baldwin, Justus Hollatz, Leon Kratzer, Elias Harris and Aleksa Radanov are not included in Bayern's roster for its game at Dubai on Friday, [the club has confirmed on X](https://x.com/FCBBasketball/status/1999498177867665513).

- Stefan Jovic did not play in Round 14 but returned to action in the German League over the weekend.
- Kamar Baldwin was a late scratch for Round 10 and has not played since.
- [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayerns-rokas-jokubaitis-suffers-knee-injury/) will be sidelined until the spring following knee surgery.
- Elias Harris has yet to return to action following a knee injury suffered in June.
- Aleksa Radanov (coach's decision) did not suit up for the first 14 rounds.

### AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:30 CET)

##### AS Monaco

Monaco has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Fenerbahce on Friday.

- Juhann Begarin was the only Monaco player unavailable in Round 14.

##### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Mikael Jantunen, Onuralp Bitim and Scottie Wilbekin are ruled out for Fenerbahce's game at Monaco on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Mikael Jantunen is a late scratch for Round 15.
- Onuralp Bitim has suffered an ankle injury, [the club announced on December 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-loses-onuralp-bitim-to-ankle-injury/).
- Scottie Wilbekin is receiving treatment for knee swelling, [the club confirmed on November 10](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/scottie-wilbekin-receiving-treatment-for-knee-swelling/).
- [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-arturs-zagars-dealing-with-hamstring-issue/), who last played in Round 5, returned to action in the Turkish League.

### Virtus Bologna vs. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

##### Virtus Bologna

All of Virtus's players are available for its game against Hapoel on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Alen Smailagic returned to action in Round 14.
- Brandon Taylor last played in Round 9.
- Abramo Canka has not played so far this season, but has been available to play since Round 10.

##### Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv

Hapoel has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Virtus on Friday.

- Guy Palatin missed Rounds 13 and 14 with a back injury.

- Tai Odiase missed Rounds 12 and 13 with a sprained ankle, but was available last week.

- [Tomer Ginat suffered a shoulder dislocation](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hapoel-wins-in-israeli-league-but-loses-tomer-ginat-to-injury/) in early November, but has returned to action last week.

- [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hapoels-yam-madar-goes-under-the-knife/) has not played this season after undergoing an appendectomy and a knee procedure, but has begun practicing with the team.

- [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hapoel-bruno-caboclo-undergoes-back-surgery/) is recovering from back surgery. There is no timetable for his recovery.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

##### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Aleksej Pokusevski, Miika Muurinen, Carlik Jones and Mario Nakic are ruled out for Partizan's game against Crvena Zvezda on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Miika Muurinen is unavailable in Round 15 due to an ankle injury.
- Aleksej Pokusevski suffered an ankle injury in Round 14 and will be out of action in coming weeks.
- Arijan Lakic last played in Round 7 but has returned to action in the domestic league.
- Carlik Jones (ankle) last played in Round 5 and is expected to be out for another month or two.
- Mario Nakic is expected to be sidelined for a while due to a knee problem.

##### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Chima Moneke is a game-time decision while Ognjen Dobric, Uros Plavsic and Yago dos Santos are ruled out for Crvena Zvezda's game at Partizan on Friday, [according to statements made by coach Sasa Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/pregame-quotes-round-15-el2526/).

- Chima Moneke missed a domestic league game with an Achilles problem. Coach Obradovic said before the Partizan game: "\[Chima\] Moneke’s injury might have been a bit exaggerated; I don’t think it’s that serious. He’ll be in contention for the roster — we’ll see if and how much he can play."
- Devonte' Graham sustained an injury in the domestic league game on Monday and did not play in the second half. Coach Obradovic said before the Partizan game: "\[Devonte'\] Graham practiced normally the last two practices and will play."
- Ebuka Izundu sustained an ankle injury in Round 10 but should be available for Round 15. Coach Obradovic said before the Partizan game: "\[Ebuka\] Izundu is there and practiced normally."
- Ognjen Dobric sustained an injury in Round 14 and missed the domestic league game on Monday.
- Dejan Davidovac missed Round 13 due to an adductor injury, but returned to action in Round 14.
- Tyson Carter has been [diagnosed with pulmonary embolism](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zvezdas-tyson-carter-facing-extended-absence-with-pulmonary-embolism/) and faces a lengthy absence. He has been discharged from hospital and will continue his treatment at home.
- Jasiel Rivero hurt his foot in Round 1 and is expected to be sidelined for several months.
- Isaiah Canaan [suffered an ACL injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-loses-isaiah-canaan-to-acl-injury/) and is out long term.
- Joel Bolomboy is out long term.

### FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

##### FC Barcelona

Nico Laprovittola and Juan Nunez are ruled out for Barcelona's game against Olympiacos on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Nico Laprovittola is out for four weeks with an adductor injury, [Barcelona confirmed on November 26](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcas-nico-laprovittola-out-4-weeks-with-adductor-injury/).
- [Juan Nunez is out ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-guard-juan-nunez-to-miss-6-months/)due to a knee injury. He expected to be sidelined until April.

##### Olympiacos Piraeus

Tyson Ward, Shaq McKissic, Keenan Evans and Moustapha Fall are ruled out for Olympiacos's game against Barcelona on Friday, the club has confirmed. Monte Morris is still in the United States and therefore has not made the trip to Barcelona.

- New Olympiacos [signing Monte Morris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monte-morris-joins-olympiacos-bc/), but he is not yet registered to play.
- Frank Ntilikina missed Round 13, but has returned to actions since then.
- Shaquielle McKissic last played in Round 11.
- Keenan Evans missed the first nine rounds as he recovered from a knee injury, but [he ruptured his Achilles just two minutes into his return in Round 10](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/keenan-evans-suffers-achilles-rupture-in-euroleague-return/).
- [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-center-moustapha-fall-suffers-knee-injury/) could miss the entire season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee during the Greek League finals in June.

## Thursday, December 11

### Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:05 CET)

##### Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv

Maccabi has not yet sent an injury report for its game against ASVEL on Thursday.

- [Jeff Dowtin Jr. is expected to be out until February ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-jeff-dowtin-out-six-weeks-with-foot-injury/)with a torn ligament in his foot.
- TJ Leaf returned to action in Round 14.

##### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

ASVEL has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Maccabi on Thursday.

- [Edwin Jackson](https://www.leprogres.fr/sport/2025/10/20/asvel-plus-de-peur-que-de-mal-pour-edwin-jackson) last played in Round 5 and is out with a heel injury for 4-6 weeks, [the club announced](https://ldlcasvel.com/point-medical/) ahead of Round 9.

### Valencia Basket vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)

##### Valencia Basket

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui is Valencia's only absentee for its game against Efes on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- [Braxton Key suffered a minor knee injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-braxton-key-suffers-minor-knee-injury/) in Round 13 and has missed Round 14.
- Xabi Lopez-Arostegui was ruled out in Round 14.

##### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Shane Larkin, PJ Dozier, Burakcan Yildizli and Georgios Papagiannis are ruled out while Vincent Poirier has been upgraded to questionable for Efes's game at Valencia on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- [Shane Larkin will be out until early February](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/shane-larkin-undergoes-groin-surgery-out-for-two-months/) after undergoing groin surgery, the club announced on December 3.
- PJ Dozier is out for 4-6 weeks with a thigh tear, [the club confirmed on November 10](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/pj-dozier-to-miss-4-6-weeks-with-thigh-tear/).
- [Georgios Papagiannis is expected to miss eight months](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/efes-ercan-osmani-out-three-weeks-georgios-papagiannis-to-miss-eight-months/) following ACL surgery, the club confirmed on October 18.
- Vincent Poirier, who has been out for [4-6 months after knee surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-timetable-for-poiriers-return-set-at-4-6-months/) is questionable and could make his season debut in Round 15.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

##### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Nico Mannion, Stefano Tonut, Ousmane Diop and Nate Sestina are ruled out for Milan's game against Panathinaikos on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Lorenzo Brown returned to action last week after missing nine games due to a calf injury, but he was absent again in the Italian League action during the weekend. He is available for Round 15.
- Marko Guduric is available this week after missing Round 14.
- Nico Mannion suffered a nasal fracture during practice, [the club announced on December 4](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/nico-mannion-suffers-nasal-fracture-during-practice/).
- Ousmane Diop had arthroscopic knee surgery, [the club announced on December 4](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ousmane-diop-has-arthroscopic-knee-surgery/).
- Diego Flaccadori underwent a minimally invasive interventional cardiology procedure, [the club announced on December 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/diego-flaccadori-undergoes-cardiology-procedure-set-for-short-spell-out/).
- Stefano Tonut missed Rounds 13 and 14.
- Nate Sestina picked up a triceps injury in Round 10 and has not played since.

##### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Cedi Osman, Mathias Lessort and Richaun Holmes are ruled out for Panathinaikos's game at Milan on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikoss-omer-yurtseven-out-for-3-weeks-with-groin-injury/) returned to action last week.
- Cedi Osman came out in the first quarter in Round 12 with an ankle sprain. He did not play the last two games.
- [Richaun Holmes suffered a torn medial collateral ligament](https://x.com/Paobcgr/status/1983302468785319949) in his right knee in Round 7.
- Mathias Lessort, still recovering from an injury, is yet to play this season.

### Paris Basketball vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)

##### Paris Basketball

Paris has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Zalgiris on Thursday.

- Daulton Hommes did not feature in Round 13.
- Joel Ayayi did not feature in Round 13.

##### Zalgiris Kaunas

Arnas Butkevicius and Dovydas Giedraitis are ruled out while Ignas Brazdeikis is a game-time decision for Zalgiris's game at Paris on Thursday, coach [Tomas Masiulis announced in the pre-game press conference](https://zalgiris.lt/naujienos/t-masiulis-pries-kelione-i-paryziu-vykstame-pas-greiciausia-eurolygos-komanda).

- [Nigel Williams-Goss suffered a hamstring injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nigel-williams-goss-sidelined-with-hamstring-injury/) in Round 6, but returned to action last week.
- Arnas Butkevicius also returned to action last week after a brief absence.
- Dovydas Giedratis, who made his first appearance of the season in the Lithuanian League on November 9 but has not yet returned to action in the EuroLeague, has been out with a thigh injury.

### Real Madrid vs. Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (21:00 CET)

##### Real Madrid

Real Madrid has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Baskonia on Thursday.

- Gabriele Procida last played in Round 8. He has been playing in the Spanish League over the last few weeks, however.

##### Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Baskonia has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Real on Friday.

- [Trent Forrest (hamstring)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/baskonia-trent-forrest-markus-howard-sidelined-for-several-weeks/) has been out since October 17, but Coach Galbiati indicated that he could return in Round 15.
- Tadas Sedekerskis missed Round 14 and is expected to miss Round 15, too.
- [New signing Gytis Radzevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/sharpshooting-forward-gytis-radzevicius-joins-baskonia/) made his debut in Round 14.

Stay up to date with the latest injury information provided by the EuroLeague clubs

Injury report, Round 15: Moneke a game-time decision for Belgrade Derby; Jantunen out for Fener

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-12-11T20:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-12-11T19:45:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-12-11T19:05:00.000Z)

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 15 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub: Round 15

## Friday, December 12

### [Dubai Basketball vs. FC Bayern Munich (17:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/dubai-basketball-fc-bayern-munich/E2025/142/)

**Gordon Herbert, Bayern head coach**

"Dubai has a very ambitious program and a very good team with a lot of individual talent. But it’s more about us — namely that we have to play better basketball as a team. We’ve maneuvered ourselves into a difficult situation in the EuroLeague. No one is going to help us get out of it; we have to help ourselves. I’m convinced we can do it, but to do so we have to be a team."

**Niels Giffey, Bayern forward**

"It’s important now that we work our way out of our slump in the EuroLeague. Dubai aren’t yet perfectly in rhythm either, but the quality is, of course, very high. It’s good that we arrived here two days earlier. But now we have to deliver."

### [AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2025/147/)

**Vassilis Spanoulis, Monaco head coach**

"Since our two defeats in Belgrade, I really like the team's reaction. We showed character, we communicated well and trained hard to win three games in style. The next step for us is to remain consistent, both on the court and in our minds, forget about wins and losses, and always focus on the next game. The EuroLeague Championship Game is a game that belongs to the past. Win or lose, we have to live in the moment. The team is focused on this game against Fener, a very organized team with the best defense in the EuroLeague. We'll have to stick to the plan and put on a great show for our fans."

**Alpha Diallo, Monaco forward**

"The EuroLeague Championship Game should be nothing but motivation for us to give our best throughout the season. Fener is one of the strongest teams in the EuroLeague right now. We're focusing on ourselves to continue our winning streak. We want to keep up our momentum and get a big win at home. Fighting for every ball, rebounding, being skillful, defending and playing together—the coach puts us in the best position to perform and get the best out of ourselves in every game. Our offense has a lot of options, but our priority is defense and rebounding. The rest will follow from those efforts."

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce head coach**

"We are playing probably the best team right now in the EuroLeague. They're in great shape, scoring a lot of points in transition. Their guards are really good, playing at a high level, and obviously this is a team that's been together for five years already. They know each other by heart. It's the most difficult game of the season so far."

**Tarik Biberovic, Fenerbahce forward**

"We’re going to play one of the toughest games of the season. We’ll be facing a team made up of players who know each other very well. Their position in the standings shows how difficult a matchup this will be. We need to try to limit their guard play and stay committed to our game plan."

### [Virtus Bologna vs. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/virtus-bologna-hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/E2025/150/)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus head coach**

"One more game against a very strong team. It will be a very challenging game for us, especially about our 1v1 defense. Hapoel plays many iso situations and they have some players that played these situations very well. We have to demonstrate that we can play against this special characteristics."

**Momo Diouf, Virtus center**

"We have a very tough match ahead of us tomorrow, not least because Hapoel are top of the standings. They are a very complete team with lots of scorers. Our task will be to limit their players, play hard, with energy and as a team: that's what it will take to get the win."

**Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel head coach**

"We play against a very competitive team. How difficult our task is to compete there is also confirmed by the fact that they haven't lost a single home game - they have six wins at home. Bologna is a team that has good athletes, experience, and youth. We'll need to compete at the highest level to match the energetic way they play the game and to stay focused and motivated for 40 minutes."

**Collin Malcolm, Hapoel forward**

"Bologna is a tough team. They have a strong home record, and I've played there before - the atmosphere is great and the fans are loud. It’s definitely a tough place to play. We must come out and match their energy right from the start. We can’t let them pull ahead early."

### [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2025/149/)

**Mirko Ocokoljic, Partizan interim head coach**

"We’ve had some issues, but I believe the remaining twelve players will be ready to go tomorrow. We’ve had a few days to prepare, and we know a very tough game is ahead of us. We’re well aware of how Crvena Zvezda plays and the quality they have. They’re very aggressive offensively, and they’re strong both on the perimeter and inside. The team has to be fully focused and motivated for all 40 minutes. We need to give everything we have, and then we’ll see how things look tomorrow."

**Nick Calathes, Partizan guard**

"I am really excited to play a game like this. Playing against rival teams always brings extra motivation, and I believe we are ready as a team. Hopefully, we can use the last two games as fuel and momentum for what lies ahead. I have been around for a long time, and games like this can change the course of a season, giving that extra push you need. I believe we are very excited and ready to show it on the court."

**Sasa Obradovic, Crvena Zvezda head coach**

"We had a good practice, but that doesn’t mean the game will be good. We also had a good practice before Barcelona, but we started off poorly. \[Chima\] Moneke’s injury might have been a bit exaggerated; I don’t think it’s that serious. He’ll be in contention for the roster — we’ll see if and how much he can play. The picture is definitely different when he’s in the lineup. \[Ognjen\] Dobrić has a back injury, and because of it he’ll miss the game. It’s improving, the pain is less, but he won’t be in the derby. \[Uros\] Plavšić is out. \[Devonte'\] Graham practiced normally the last two practices and will play. Yago \[dos Santos\] tried yesterday, he still has some problems, but he’ll be back in contention very soon. \[Ebuka\] Izundu is there and practiced normally."

**Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda forward**

"Every derby brings something of its own. We know how much it means to everyone here, and it’s the same this time. We’re playing in front of their fans, and I think home court is always an advantage, without shifting any pressure onto them. I’d give them a slight edge, but we’ll prepare."

### [FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2025/148/)

**Xavi Pascual, Barcelona head coach**

"Olympiacos is a team that has been with their coach for a long time. They have a very defined DNA, they play from memory and the core of the team has been around for many years. It's a team that is able to run, but at the same time it's also able to play with very long possessions, and it makes many points in the last seconds of possession, and defensively, it's very well-armed, very well-positioned, they collapse the paint very well. It is a top EuroLeague team, with a roster that allows these important injuries of players that they have, a squad of 16-17 first-level players, and that will make a very difficult game here at home in Palau, without a doubt. We have to be positive, play together and be on the same page and then we will see what happens. We have to go for all. Barca can't afford with any of the sections or with the first team to never think you can't do it. You always have to think you can do it and you have to go for all and then time will tell or it will put us all in our place. But for now, we have to be positive. I am very happy with everyone, with the whole club. Everyone is very focused and I think we have laid the foundations of discipline, respect, work, enthusiasm that we needed to go the way I wanted. We are halfway there. We are missing a lot. I think we are missing a lot of things but we are going the right way. I think it is a team that is already running well in both transitions, a little bit better, which I think is a very important part of the game here. We have to improve a lot our defense in the last seconds, which is still bad, some situations in the game that we also have to improve. But we are going the right way, defensively. We are going faster, we are still a little bit disorganized in some moments, we have to be well organized to have better spaces and be more effective."

**Tomas Satoransky, Barcelona guard**

"It is a very important game, very difficult, against a team like Olympiacos, which has had this roster for the last few years, playing in their style, playing very physically, especially in defense, and with good mechanisms on offense. You can see they have a defined playing time and have practiced that together for a long time, and seeing the results in the last few years, it's a very demanding game for us. I think we are still in the process of learning and improving the things that Xavi \[Pascual\] is adding to our playing style, and of course, the games are coming, and everyone is preparing certain things. But I think this also shows that we have faith in that, that we are improving in this process, but I wouldn't say that we are in the best moment. There are many moments during the season, but what is true is that it will be a test, an important test against a team like this, which is also very solid throughout the game, and you can't allow yourself to have bad moments during the game. I'm basically the only player who had him \[Xavi Pascual\] as a coach, but I will also say something, it's been ten years since we have seen each other, and I think he has changed many things. He is still very detailed, very demanding, especially on the defensive side, I think we have seen these defenses, I think we are keeping our opponents at fewer points, and I don't think you have to ask for much, I think his practices are mainly a lot of concentration, you have to be very aware of what he asks from the start, and I think the players are doing very well."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach**

"We have to win. We have to play well against the way Barcelona attacks and defends. Xavi \[Pascual\]’s philosophy is to target each player individually, both defensively and offensively — meaning they attack specific weaknesses of the opponent. They go a lot into the post and into mismatches. We need to defend well there, we need to be physical as always. And overall, we need to show patience in our game. They are a very experienced team with players who know the EuroLeague, who have played many games and know how to manage situations. So we have to be more physical, play at a higher pace than them, and impose our own style of play."

**Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos forward**

"I think that this year Barcelona is a bit different from what we’ve been used to in recent years. They have very experienced players who know how to play the game. With the arrival of Coach Pascual, the whole dynamic has changed. I’m sure they really want this home game. They’re coming off an emphatic win against Crvena Zvezda, so it’s a very difficult match — a classic EuroLeague game — where, in order to win, you have to do everything perfectly."

## Thursday, December 11

### [Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:05 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2025/141/)

\--

### [Valencia Basket vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/valencia-basket-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2025/146/)

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia head coach**

"We are not taking anything for granted. Just because we have won the last few games does not mean we will win tomorrow. The fact that we have defended well in three games may be because the other team has been very poor, or you relax and defend worse in the next game. We're going to focus on tomorrow's game against a very good team, one of the top teams in the competition in terms of budget and the prestige of their players. We know they have important players out with injuries, but we have the utmost respect for them. We've seen them play in preparation for the game and they have an inside game that is very difficult to defend, especially with Osmani and Smits. Dessert too, but above all the Osmani-Smits duo is a problem for defenses. They are players who play differently from most teams in the league and it won't be easy for us to adapt to them. We're going to have to suffer in that adaptation, and I think tomorrow we're going to play against a team that can cause us difficulties defensively. So it could be the case that we come in feeling cocky, having defended well over the last month, and tomorrow these players, plus Cordinier and Weiler-Babb, who they have at point guard, mess us up. Maximum respect, this is the EuroLeague, there are no easy games, every game is very important and valuable, and we have to be at our best to give our best performance. We all have to prepare together for a very difficult game."

**Radovan Trifunovic, Efes head coach**

"We are playing against Valencia Basket, a team that has shown good quality this season. They are playing very good basketball so far. Their style is characterized by an up-tempo and transition-focused game. In the open court, they take a high volume of three-point shots and aggressively pursue offensive rebounds. It is crucial for us to slow them down. Our transition defense and controlling the defensive rebounds will be the foundation of our game plan. On offense, we need to be smart and play with clear purpose."

**Rodrigue Beaubois, Efes guard**

"We’re heading into a tough road game against Valencia Basket. We need to use the lessons learned from our previous games and be ready to give everything we have on Thursday."

### [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2025/143/)

**Peppe Poeta, Milan head coach**

"We're facing a complete, deep team, with a championship core, coached by a highly decorated coach. Our first priority will be to limit, as much as possible, the Panathinaikos most creative players: Shorts, Sloukas, and Nunn. To achieve this, we'll need the full support of our fans, who, as they did against Olympiacos, can give us the energy boost that is going to be required. We know we'll have to deal with an inconsistent roster because some players have played a lot, others are just returning from a period out, and others will be out altogether, but we'll try to overcome these challenges with our pace and pride."

**Armoni Brooks, Milan guard**

"Against such a great team, we'll need to be physically strong from the beginning. Panathinaikos is experienced, has won a lot, and can still win a lot. It will be crucial to keep them from getting into a rhythm early, set the tone, and work as a team on their one-on-one players, on isolation isolating plays. We'll need to defend hard and trust our teammates' to make sure their shots will be as hard as possible."

**Leandro Bolmaro, Milan guard**

"It'll be a tough game, we have a great deal of respect for Panathinaikos and we understand how good they are. We'll need to play with energy, patience, physicality, and help each other, especially on defense, because against their guards or the physicality of their big men, a team effort will be necessary."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos head coach**

"At this point, every game is difficult. There are no easy games in the EuroLeague. Milan has a very strong roster, one that can compete for the Final Four. They faced many injury problems, but in their most recent games almost everyone has returned. \[Zach\] LeDay, \[Josh\] Nebo, \[Shavon\] Shields, and I think \[Marko\] Guduric will also play against us. We have a good roster as well. We must play aggressively and play the right kind of basketball if we want to win. They are a very good team and they are in a good position in the standings."

**Nikos Rogkavopoulos, Panathinaikos forward**

"It was a special moment \[making a record 12 threes in Greek League game\], but we have to leave it behind because we have very important games coming up. Like the one against Milan, which for us is a must-win game. We’re going to Milan with that mentality, aiming to get the result. I definitely have good confidence, but every game is different and you always start from zero. So whether you played well or poorly, you have to reset and focus in order to perform in the next one."

### [Paris Basketball vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/paris-basketball-zalgiris-kaunas/E2025/144/)

**Tomas Masiulis, Zalgiris head coach**

"We’re going up against the fastest team in the EuroLeague. They play extremely quickly, and the main thing will be slowing down their transition offense and limiting their offensive rebounds. That’s where we need to start, and then we can dig deeper into the details. You could point to maybe three teams that play this style — Valencia, Baskonia — but Paris Basketball plays it the best. They want to play as fast as possible; this year they also want to pressure the ball after made baskets, they double-team, they make a lot of substitutions every few minutes… Energy, aggressiveness — that’s how they try to knock opponents out of their half-court game. They feel great in the open court, shoot whenever they see an opportunity, and everyone crashes the boards. That’s their trademark."

### [Real Madrid vs. Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (21:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/real-madrid-kosner-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2025/145/)

**Sergio Scariolo, Real Madrid head coach**

"For this game, we all remember the game in Vitoria. We started with a solid game plan, with clear ideas, and we took an important lead. Then we lost our concentration and Baskonia brought out their best weapons: their pace and ability to attack the court with speed with players who are very good at handling and penetrating. In that game, they only had \[Timothe\] Luwawu-Cabarrot as a shooter, whose numbers in the last five games are impressive. Now they will have Markus Howard, who is a similar player. \[Trent\] Forrest's return is also a key factor; we remember the game he played."

**Gaby Deck, Real Madrid forward**

"They are a tough opponent who will try to win away from home, just as we do when we play on the road. We must try to do our job well, continue to improve day by day, as we are doing very well, and stay focused for the entire 40 minutes against an opponent we know very well."

**Paolo Galbiati, Baskonia head coach**

"Real Madrid is a powerhouse in Europe, with a great squad and a great coach, a legend. We have to play our style and try to impose it. They play with patience and we like to run. They play a lot at the low post, trying to make the most of their physical potential.

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 15 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season

Pregame quotes, Round 15: 'Games like this can change the course of a season'

Two proud clubs, two coaching shake-ups, and two fan bases that live for this moment: the Serbian derby returns to the EuroLeague spotlight.

When nothing else matters: Partizan vs. Zvezda in the Serbian Derby

Tonight in Belgrade, the EuroLeague’s mantra that ‘every game matters’ takes a back seat. For a few hours, standings, stats, and streaks fade into irrelevance. There is only one game that matters: the Serbian derby.

Belgrade Arena is the familiar site where [Partizan Mozzart Bet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) and [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), two ambitious rivals from the Serbian capital, will lock horns once again. This might be only the seventh time the two teams will battle in the EuroLeague, with each winning three so far, but this clash is one of the oldest, biggest and most bitter rivalries in the world of basketball.

The clash between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda brings to the surface all the emotions and all the passion a sports fan can have.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">Kreni i sve pred sobom melji!✊🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> round 15 | vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a> ⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/QPHfeNXCxA">pic.twitter.com/QPHfeNXCxA</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1999173049317290267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Partizan was shaken to its core

Few clubs have endured as much turbulence this season as Partizan (5-9). From injuries to a coaching saga that shook the entire fan base, the black-and-white side of Belgrade has been living on an emotional rollercoaster.

First it lost star playmaker [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) to injury in late October, and without him went on a disappointing run of results. But the club, and all its fans, were shaken to the core after the resignation of the man who was more than just the team’s head coach, [the legendary Zeljko Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zeljko-obradovic-and-partizan-officially-part-ways/).

The saga has been well documented, from the coach’s resignation after seven losses in eight games to the club’s refusal to let him leave, which led to a hero’s welcome at the airport for the nine-time EuroLeague winner.

The two sides eventually parted ways, and saying that Partizan fans did not like the news would be a major understatement.

There were overwhelmingly more jeers than cheers from fans aimed towards players and management last week when Partizan hosted FC Bayern Munich. But with Zeljko Obradovic’s assistant Mirko Ocokoljic temporarily taking over the reins, [Duane Washington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/) and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) helped the team slalom through all those emotions and come back from a double-digit deficit to down Bayern.

Partizan followed it up with a road win over U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the ABA League and aims to build on it while trying to leave the turbulence behind and salvage a EuroLeague season that still has 24 games left to play.

The team has been playing a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and while it is hard to predict which face Partizan will display on Friday night, it is equally hard to know which players Crvena Zvezda (9-5) will dress for the derby.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">Пред нама је утакмица 15. кола Евролиге у којој кошаркаши Црвене звезде Меридианбет гостују екипи Партизана у петак, 12. децембра од 20:30 у Београдској Арени 🏀🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z2Z21wGf6A">pic.twitter.com/Z2Z21wGf6A</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1999099022544355356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zvezda’s injury woes

If Partizan has faced drama, Zvezda has faced attrition. Injuries have tested the depth and resilience of Sasa Obradovic’s squad all season long. And just when it seemed that the team was close to full strength, two key pieces – forward [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) and guard [Devonte’ Graham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devonte-graham/014028/) – will both be game-time decisions after suffering Achilles and calf problems, respectively, in recent days.

And that is already in addition to team-captain [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/) out with a back injury, and not having [Tyson Carter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyson-carter/011305/), [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/), [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/), [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), [Uros Plavsic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/uros-plavsic/006240/) and [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/). On a positive side, most of these seven certain absences are nothing new, and coach Sasa Obradovic was able to successfully maneuver through as [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) and [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) shined in leading the teams to victories.

Interestingly, Zvezda went through a similar coaching scenario to Partizan's, but far less emotional, when earlier this season Ioannis Sfairopoulos was replaced after only two games. Sasa Obradovic came back to his beloved club and turned things around in a miraculous way, stringing together a club-record seven wins as Zvezda went from a hopeless bottom-dweller to one of the teams to beat in a matter of weeks.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Live on Derby Day 🇷🇸 <br><br>Our TikTok Live in Belgrade on the morning of one of the fiercest rivalries in basketball, you won’t want to miss it 👀 <a href="https://t.co/sp8lLTnSjC">pic.twitter.com/sp8lLTnSjC</a></p>&mdash; EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1999198049118065059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Nothing else matters

A brief look at the standings - and at the team stats - would give a clear advantage to Zvezda, which scores nearly 4 points more, while allowing 5 points fewer than Partizan. Zvezda is also a far better rebounding team, and shares the ball better on offense, too.

But this is a derby, and all of that matters very little. Especially because of who will be sitting on the respective benches.

Instead of seeing two Obradovics going against one another, we will watch Mirko Ocokoljic and Sasa Obradovic face each other. And that’s a funny turn this Serbian derby took.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s time. <a href="https://t.co/Dqyj4ocQWZ">pic.twitter.com/Dqyj4ocQWZ</a></p>&mdash; EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1999387478654878204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Why funny?

Because the two men worked together for the past three years; Ocokoljic was Obradovic’s assistant at AS Monaco. Together, they guided Monaco to two historic accomplishments, which included the club’s first-ever Final Four appearance in 2023, two more EuroLeague playoff appearances and two French League titles.

They know each other, respect each other, and care for one another. And Ockoljic and Sasa Obradovic will play a game within a game.

Obradovic seeks to keep Zvezda on a winning track. Ocokoljic is eager to earn another win to turn things right-side-up for Partizan.

For 40 minutes, Belgrade will hold its breath. Two teams, two coaches who know each other inside out, and two fan bases that demand victory. Because in Serbia, this is more than basketball. This is the derby.

Two proud clubs, two coaching shake-ups, and two fan bases that live for this moment: the Serbian derby returns to the EuroLeague spotlight

When nothing else matters: Partizan vs. Zvezda in the Belgrade Derby

Zalgiris Kaunas had been struggling coming into its game at Paris Basketball, winning just one of its last five EuroLeague games, but the Lithuanian team did a strong job fighting off the French side in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that helped it wrestle out of its slump.

Zalgiris keeps its cool to beat tough Paris and get back on track 

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) had been struggling coming into its game at [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/), winning just one of its last five EuroLeague games, but the Lithuanian team did a strong job fighting off the French side in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that helped it wrestle out of its slump.

Only after the 19th lead change was the game decided thanks to [Azuolas Tubelis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/azuolas-tubelis/008192/) hitting a running layup with 11 seconds to play for a 105-108 victory, which boosted Zalgiris’s record to 9-6.

“It’s a great win for our team, a great team win,” said coach Tomas Masiulis. “If you look at the stats, we only played good defense in the third quarter. We know it is not easy to play against them. They are a very fast running team and they shoot, but we are happy that we stayed together at the end of the game when they came back. It was a great team win. I am happy for my guys.”

Paris Basketball-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Zalgiris took the third quarter 17-32 and that gave the visitors the push they needed. Paris led by 10 points in the second quarter and Zalgiris opened its own 10-point lead at 81-91. Paris answered with the next 10 points to even the game, and after Zalgiris surged ahead 95-102 with 2 minutes left, Paris punched back with the next eight points for the first of four lead changes in the final 59 seconds.

The key for Zalgiris was staying together, as Masiulis said: “We didn’t panic.”

Tubelis’s put-back was answered by a jumper from [Amath M’Baye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/amath-m-baye/007993/) before Tubelis provided the final heroics.

He was one of a number of Zalgiris players to enjoy an excellent performance, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) was the team’s main weapon with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) had 18 points and 10 assists, [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) tallied 17 points and 6 rebounds, and [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists. 

Above all, Masiulis was really happy about Francisco’s development.

“He’s playing for the team. He’s creating and making assists. This is the biggest improvement in his game,” said Coach Masiulis. “One on one, he can score on anybody. But he understands he can create and make other players better if he wants.” 

Francisco (28), Birutis (27), Tubelis (26) and Williams-Goss (25) all had a PIR of 25+ while Ulanovas just missed the 20 PIR mark at 19. That would have been just the fifth time in EuroLeague history where five teammates had 20 or more PIR – an achievement reached most recently by Chorale Roanne in 2007-08.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That moment when you get match-worn shoes from Sylvain Francisco himself. 😅👟 <a href="https://t.co/4boeueK2oI">pic.twitter.com/4boeueK2oI</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1999245465708015802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“The whole team did it. We got the win, but I am proud of myself for helping the team get the away win,” said Francisco.

And Williams-Goss added: “We just tried to stay focused and execute for 40 minutes and try to give ourselves a chance to pull out a win. For us this was a bounce back.”

Paris, for its part, was playing its first home game since November 13 but dropped its fourth straight game for a 5-10 record and 3-5 at home. [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) led Paris with 27 points and M’Baye finished with a career-high 23 points in the loss.

“Pain. This is the umpteenth game we lost in crunch time. We could have executed better in the last four minutes. We missed a couple of very good shots and that changed the game,” said Paris head coach Francesco Tabellini.  

“But overall there was an improvement because we usually struggle with just two good quarters and two bad defensive quarters. Today we only had one, but it was enough for Zalgiris to get the lead. There is still space for improvement, and we will get there.”

The visitors lost a solid lead late but still pulled off a thrilling victory

Real Madrid weathered a late storm to grind out an ultimately comfortable 94-87 home win against fellow Spanish opposition in Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which threatened to stage a huge upset after its sharpshooter Markus Howard scored 16 of his 22 points in a rollercoaster fourth quarter.

Real Madrid survives Markus Howard’s fourth-quarter onslaught to beat Baskonia

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) weathered a late storm to grind out an ultimately comfortable 94-87 home win against fellow Spanish opposition in [Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/), which threatened to stage a huge upset after its sharpshooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) scored 16 of his 22 points in a rollercoaster fourth quarter.

The home team looked in cruise control, leading 76-62 early in the period before Howard unleashed his venom and netted 13 points in just over three minutes, giving Baskonia a 76-77 lead before Real found an extra gear and had the last laugh in a see-saw contest.

It was Real’s fourth successive EuroLeague win, its fifth in the last six meetings with Baskonia and sweet revenge for a 105-100 Spanish League reverse to the same rival last month, as the home team improved to 9-6 while the visitors dropped to 5-10 in Europe’s premier club competition.

Real Madrid-Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Despite shooting a modest 2 of 9 from downtown and committing 9 turnovers, Real was able to carve out a 42-39 lead in the first half thanks to winning the battle of the boards 22-14, as well as forcing Baskonia to make only 4-of-17 long-range shots.

Real pulled away to 58-45 in the third quarter and headed into the fourth with a 71-60 advantage on the back of strong defense, but the hosts looked in danger of ending up on the receiving end after Howard and [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/), who finished on 20 points, caught fire. 

However, Real prevailed as [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) and [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) stepped up to the plate. Hezonja paced the home team on 17 points while livewire Campazzo racked up 16 and 5 assists, including a deep three down the stretch which ultimately forced Baskonia into submission. Campazzo credited the win to strong defense for much of the contest, as Real racked up 40 rebounds against Baskonia’s 29 and finished on 8 of 19 from long range.

“We played good defense and shared the ball, so it’s a big win for us today,” the Argentine guard said in his post-game comments. ”I hope we have a lot of room to improve though and we know it.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">✨ <a href="https://twitter.com/facucampazzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@facucampazzo</a> <br>🔝 MVP del partido vs <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jczumgngmw">pic.twitter.com/Jczumgngmw</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1999241673252176340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Sergio Scariolo lauded Baskonia’s valiant fightback, having singled out Howard and Luwawu-Cabarrot while also praising his team’s depth which eventually made the difference.

“They came back in the fourth quarter and made some unbelievable shots which were well defended, so first of all we have to give them credit for the fightback,” the Italian tactician said. “With players like this, you get punished if you switch off even for a split second but we are a structured team with everyone contributing. We need a bit more consistency as were we were up and down, we made a great start to the third quarter and then in the end we managed to control the game,” Scariolo added.

In Round 16, Real visits EA7 Emporio Armani Milan while Baskonia entertains AS Monaco.

The home team spilled a 14-point lead in the final period but managed to come out on top